Cantilever stand

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a cantilever stand for diving boards. A diamond shaped tubular column is employed having a base at its lower end and a platform supported on its upper end and having means for anchoring the diving board at its butt end. A movable fulcrum is carried on the platform for selectively changing the fulcrum point of the diving board as desired. For higher stands, a step is provided.

United States Patent Meyer CANTILEVER STAND [7 2] Inventor: Carl R. Meyer, West Covina, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Aquaslide n DIVE CORPORA- TION, South El Monte, Calif.

22 Filed: Jan. 17, 1969 21 Appl.No.: 791,886

[52] US. Cl "272/66 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 5/10 [58] Field of Search ..272/66 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,858,915 Patterson ..272/66 51 Oct. 10, 1972 3/1969 Baker ..272/66 10/1968 Rude ..272/66 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard Dror Attomey-William G. Everett [57] I ABSTRACT The invention provides a cantilever stand for diving boards. A diamond shaped tubular column is employed having a base at its lower end and a platform supported on its upper end and having means for anchoring the diving board at its butt end. A movable fulcrum is carried on the platform for selectively changing the fulcrum point of the diving board as desired. For higher stands, a step is provided.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUBI 10 1972 SHEET 1 [1F 2 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

CARL R. M EYER PATENTEDnm 10 m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

CARL R. ME YER FIG.8

CANTILEVER STAND The invention relates to diving boards and more particularly to a stand upon which diving boards are operably mounted. v

According to the invention, there is provided a diving board and the like comprising, in combination, base means including a plate for attaching the stand in operable disposition to the supporting surface bordering a pool; tubular column means mounted on the plate at a predetermined angle thereto; and platform means mounted on the tubular column for supporting the diving board and including an elongated planar member having a front end and a back end, movable fulcrum means carried on the planar member for providing a bearing surface engageably contacting the lower surface of the diving board intermediate the ends thereof, and anchor meansdisposed on the planar member at the back end and adapted to receive means for fastening one end of the diving board to the planar member.

If desired and in those cases where the diving board is three-fourths of a meter above the water, a step is provided as an integral part of the cantilever stand.

In addition, for safety or appearance reasons, provisions are built in the cantilever stand for mounting handrails, which may be formed of tubular stock made, for example, from aluminum or stainless steel tubing of appropriate size.

It is therefore a primary objective of the invention to provide an improved stand for diving boards.

It is another object of the invention to provide a stand for diving boards of the type described that can be used for mounting diving boards of various lengths and different heights above the water.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a cantilever stand of the type described that has a movable fulcrum.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cantilever stand of the type described that has a step forming an integral part thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cantilever stand of the type described that is adapted to receive tubular handrails without modification.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cantilever stand of the type described that is attractive in appearance, safe in use, and economical in manufacture.

These features, objects and other advantages of the invention are more fully brought out in the following discussion taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cantilever stand according to the invention and showing in dotted delineation the manner in which a diving board is mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cantilever stand of FIG. 1 showing, in dotted delineation, the diving board of FIG. 1 along with the manner in which handrails may be mounted thereto;

FIG. 3 shows an end elevational view as seen from either end of the cantilever stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the movable fulcrum used in the cantilever stand accantilever stand according to the invention showing,

r for descriptive purposes, how a diving board and a pair of handrails are mounted thereon;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cantilever stand according to the invention showing, in dotted delineation, the position in which a diving board is carried thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the cantilever stand of FIG. 6 showing, in dotted delineation, the diving board of FIG. 6 along with the manner in which handrails may be mounted thereto; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial side view of the cantilever stands according to the invention with portions removed to show the movable fulcrum of FIG. 4 in operative disposition and serves to facilitate the description thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 shown there in perspective is a cantilever stand 10 according to the invention having a base plate 12, a column 14, and a platform 16. The plate 12 is provided with holes 18 through which fasteners 20 secure the stand in place near a pool, not shown.

The column 14 is attached to the plate 12 as, for example, by welding, and is inclined at an angle 0 from the horizontal. The column 14 may be formed, for example, from flat stock to form a diamond-like crosssectional configuration as shown in FIG. 6 and more fully described below.

The platform 16 may also be formed from flat stock to have an elongated planar member 22 with up-turned sides 24 and 26. The platform 16 also includes an anchor member 28 mountedon the planar member 22. The anchor member 28 extends across the planar member 22 to the outside surface of the sides 24 and 26. The anchor member is preferably formed from pipe stock and maybe welded at the points of contact with the sides 24 and 26.

A front end member 30, similar in all respects and similarly mounted as the anchor member 28, is provided at the other or front end of the planar member or bed 22. By selecting a suitable diameter for the members 28 and 30, a tubular handrail 32, shown in dotted delination in FIG. 2, may be installed without any modification of the cantilever stand 10.

The plateform 16 also includes a movable fulcrum assembly 34, as best seen in FIG. 4, comprising a tubular element 36, a resilient cap 38 bonded to the element 36 and two cross tabs 40 attached to the element 36 in inverted T-like arrangement with each tab 40 having a conventional threaded stud 42 depending downwardly therefrom to receive a conventional wing nut 44. To movably mount the fulcrum assembly 34 on the stand 10, there are provided on the planar member or bed one or more pairs of spaced apart slots 46 into which the corresponding studs 42 are inserted. Upon positioning the fulcrum assembly 34 at the place desired, the winged nuts 44 are installed to hold the fulcrum assembly 34 fast.

For purposes of mounting a diving board, shown in dotted delineation by a reference numeral 48, to the stand 10, vertically disposed openings 50 are provided in the anchor member. The openings 50 also extend through the underlying planar member or bed 22 and receive conventional bolts 52 on which in turn are placed conventional nuts 54 as shown in exploded perspective in FIG. 5. FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the diving board 48 mounted on the stand 10. It should be understood that the diving board is permanently attached at the butt end by way of the bolts and nuts, 52 and 54 respectively, and that the other end is more or less free to permit movement of the fulcrum whenever desired.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention comprising a cantilever stand 56 of the type to be used with longer diving boards, shown in dotted delination by a reference numeral 58. In most cases, the longer diving boards are mounted at a higher level above the water whereupon a step 60 is provided to make it more convenient and safe for the diver.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the stand 56 includes a base plate 62, a tubular column 64 and a platform 66. The plate 62 and the column 64 are similar in all respects with the plate 12 and the column 14 respectively as described above. The column 14 preferably is formed in diamond-like cross-sectional configuration with the longest diagonal lying in a plane intersecting the longitudinal centerline of the platform 66 to give added strength to the structure. The column 64 is also disposed at an angle 6 relative to the base plate 62, reference FIG. 7.

The base plate 62 includes holes 68 for receiving fasteners 70 for securing the stand 56 in operative disposition near a pool, not shown.

The platform 66 comprises a planar member or bed 72 having up-turned sides 74 and 76. An anchor member 78, having openings 80 for receiving bolts to install the diving board 58, is provided on the platform 66. The step 60 having supporting side members 80 converging at a line 82 is mechanically coupled as by welding to the underside of the planar member 72.

The planar member 72 also includes a pair of spaced apart slots 84 to receive the studs 42 of the fulcrum assembly 34. A tubular spacer member 86 is also provided on the planar member 72. The member 86 preferably is similar in all respects with the front end member 30 shown in FIG. 1 and is spaced a like distance from the anchor member 78 in order to install handrails 88, which are the same as the handrails 32 except reversed left to right.

As best seen in FIG. 7, a re-inforcing rib member 90 is vertically mounted along the longitudinal centerline of the platform 66 by adding to the under surface of the planar member 72. The rib member 90 is also mechanically coupled to the step 60 at the line 82 and to the column 64 at the upper portions of the edge depicted by a reference numeral 92. A second rib member 94 may also be provided to strengthen the structure and similarly mounted.

In FIG. 8, it will be noted that the resilient cap 38 engagably contacts the diving board 58 in a region 96 of increased thickness. This region 96 is readily ascertained for diving boards of different length and the fulcrum assembly 34 is moved accordingly in the manner described above. Failure to do so could cause the diving board to fail due to excessive forces being imposed thereon by the diver.

It should be understood that the height of the stands or 56 may be changed by varying the length of the tubular columns 14 and 64 respectively. To accomodate diving boards of greater length, the stand 56 would be employed over the stand 10.

Thus, I have shown a cantilever stand for diving boards and the like which is attractive in appearance, safe and efficient in operation, inexpensive to manufacture and requires the minimum of maintenance.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and methods.

lclaim:

l. A cantilever stand for a diving board and the like comprising, in combination,

base means for attaching said stand in operable disposition to the supporting surface bordering a pool;

tubular column means mounted on said base means at a predetermined angle thereto; and

platform means mounted on said tubular column means for supporting said diving board and including an elongated planar member having a front end and a back end, movable fulcrum means carried on said planar member for providing a bearing surface engageably contacting the lower surface of said diving board intermediate the ends thereof, and anchor means disposed on said planar member at said back end and adapted to receive means for fastening one end of said diving board to said planar member, said elongated planar member having up-turned side portions extending between said front and back ends and forming a U-type cross-sectional configuration, said anchor means comprising a hollow cylindrical member the outer open ends thereof co-extending with the outer surfaces of said up-turned side portions at said back end, said cylindrical member further including vertically disposed openings extending therethrough and through said supporting planar member for receiving threaded fasteners securedly disposed in corresponding openings provided in said diving board.

2. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that said movable fulcrum means further includes a resilient upper cap and fastening means disposed along the lower portion of said fulcrum means; and in that said planar member includes slot means adapted to receive said fulcrum fastening means to removably attach said fulcrum means to said planar member to selectively set the fulcrum point of said diving board.

3. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 2 further characterized in that said stand further includes step means supportingly attached to said planar member at said back end and rib means extending between said step means and said column means and along the longitudinal centerline of said platform member, said rib means being attached along the line of contact with said step means, said planar means and said column means.

4. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 3 further characterized in that said tubular column means is formed in a diamond-like cross-sectional configuration and in that tubular column means is disposed at an acute angle with said base means towards the back end of said platform means.

5. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 2 further characterized in that said elongated planar member further includes a cylindrical member 5 disposed transversely at the front end thereof. 

1. A cantilever stand for a diving board and the like comprising, in combination, base means for attaching said stand in operable disposition to the supporting surface bordering a pool; tubular column means mounted on said base means at a predetermined angle thereto; and platform means mounted on said tubular column means for supporting said diving board and including an elongated planar member having a front end and a back end, movable fulcrum means carried on said planar member for providing a bearing surface engageably contacting the lower surface of said diving board intermediate the ends thereof, and anchor means disposed on said planar member at said back end and adapted to receive means for fastening one end of said diving board to said planar member, said elongated planar member having up-turned side portions extending between sAid front and back ends and forming a U-type cross-sectional configuration, said anchor means comprising a hollow cylindrical member the outer open ends thereof co-extending with the outer surfaces of said up-turned side portions at said back end, said cylindrical member further including vertically disposed openings extending therethrough and through said supporting planar member for receiving threaded fasteners securedly disposed in corresponding openings provided in said diving board.
 2. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that said movable fulcrum means further includes a resilient upper cap and fastening means disposed along the lower portion of said fulcrum means; and in that said planar member includes slot means adapted to receive said fulcrum fastening means to removably attach said fulcrum means to said planar member to selectively set the fulcrum point of said diving board.
 3. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 2 further characterized in that said stand further includes step means supportingly attached to said planar member at said back end and rib means extending between said step means and said column means and along the longitudinal centerline of said platform member, said rib means being attached along the line of contact with said step means, said planar means and said column means.
 4. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 3 further characterized in that said tubular column means is formed in a diamond-like cross-sectional configuration and in that tubular column means is disposed at an acute angle with said base means towards the back end of said platform means.
 5. The cantilever stand in accordance with claim 2 further characterized in that said elongated planar member further includes a cylindrical member disposed transversely at the front end thereof. 